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NEW YORK, NY January 31, 2007 —The governor's budget includes $7 billion in additional school aid over the next four years, with half of that money going to New York City. As WNYC's Beth Fertig reports, education groups say that could finally give the city schools what they need.

Spitzer is proposing $3.2 billion for the city schools over the next four years. That's more than the $2 billion ordered by the state's highest court after a landmark lawsuit. The group behind that suit, the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, says it's pleased with the governor's proposal.

It expects the city schools to eventually see a total increase of more than $5 billion because Mayor Bloomberg is also proposing more city spending. The governor is hoping to win over upstate lawmakers who may be reluctant to hand over extra money to New York City by increasing aid for all districts by at least three percent. He's also proposing more money for pre-kindergarten.